Behind the Mask

Chapter 16

“And what exactly is this recipe?” Robin asked, raising an eyebrow at the fish. It looked like tuna.

 “It’s called sushi. It’s an earth food.”

“Oh,” Robin nodded, following M’gann as she floated back towards the kitchen. “In that case, I think Conner was kidding.”

“Just let me put the fish back in the refrigerator,” M’gann said over her shoulder, oblivious to Robin’s previous statement. “Then we can go!”

Robin flashed her a thumbs up before seating himself on a stool next to the island, propping his right ankle up on another stool. The Mountain was unnaturally quiet, the absence of the other four members of the Team lending a stillness to the usually active headquarters. It was strange, almost eerie, and Robin wished he’d been able to go with the Team on the mission. It wasn’t a simple mission, but it wasn’t hard either, and Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, and Artemis had left early that morning. Robin had attended the briefing, but hadn’t even bothered changing into his uniform, knowing full well Batman wouldn’t let him go out yet.

He’d only just gotten off crutches and still had to wear a large black brace on his ankle. The cuts on his chest were healing, but were still wrapped in bandages, as were his wrists. This was the first time in five days that he’d even been allowed at the mountain, but that had more to do with punishment than his injuries. He also hadn’t been able to train Batgirl at all and had only managed to get a message to her through her com-link he’d given her that he was busy elsewhere and wouldn’t be able see her for a while. She was probably mad, but she could just join the party.

“Okay, I’m ready.” M’gann announced, her skin morphing from green to a pale peach color and the apron she wore disappearing.

“Great. Your uncle left the car in the lower hanger and I assume you have the keys?” Robin nimbly sprang off the stool, landing expertly on one foot.

“Yes! They’re in my room; I’ll go grab them.” M’gann floated off before returning shortly with a pair of car keys in her hand. The Martian obviously hadn’t gone on the mission either as J’onn had stated that she’d recently completed some very intense mental training and that it would be wise to give her mind a rest to avoid loss of control.

“Okay, I’ll show you where the car is.” Robin beckoned the girl to follow him, his gait unsteady as the brace on his ankle prevented any ankle movement whatsoever.

Once J’onn had told his niece she wouldn’t be going on the mission, he’d then suggested she practice driving. At first Robin had been confused but then Wally had told him that J’onn had recently given M’gann a car and a driver’s license to use to get to school, but that he hadn’t yet taught her to drive. Robin, of course, saw teaching her as a potential boredom buster (of course he could drive – he was Robin) and a way to possibly save a few lives along the way. Cause really, who would give a naïve Martian free reign of a vehicle? Sure she could drive a bio-ship and a motorcycle, but a car didn’t respond to your thoughts and was controlled much differently than a bike. M’gann had, of course, loved the idea, so now they were going driving.

Once they’d reached the hanger Robin instructed M’gann on how operate the automatic locking system before giving her the keys and getting in the passenger side. It was a nice car, Robin noticed, practical yet stylish, painted a bright, cherry red color. The interior smelled like new car, with a front and back row of seats, all leather, and a leather-covered steering wheel. After poking around a bit, Robin found that the seats had heating capabilities as well as numerous levers for adjusting height, distance from front, etc. which he had a fun time messing with until suddenly the car took off from the ground and started hovering.